Summative Test 2 - Wave Properties and Energy Systems Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards generated from STI Summative Test 2 covering wave behavior, light phenomena, electromagnetic radiation, electrical safety, energy generation, and energy efficiency.

Constructive Interference

The type of wave interference that occurs when two waves combine to increase the overall amplitude of the resulting wave.

Coal

One of the oldest and most abundant fossil fuel sources used for electricity generation.

Electrical Hazards

A category of risks that includes electrical shock, flashover, and electrical fires.

Wavelength

The distance between wave peaks, which is long in radio communication and short in X-rays.

Wave

The transfer of energy through a disturbance that moves outward from its source, as seen in sound and light.

Visible Light

The only region of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye.

SONAR Technology

Technology mainly used for detecting objects, measuring distances, and mapping underwater environments.

Renewable Energy

Energy derived from natural resources that are replenished on a human timescale and emit little to no greenhouse gases.

Doppler Effect

The change in observed frequency and wavelength of a wave caused by the relative motion between the source and the observer.

Power Demand and Supply Chain

The interconnected processes involved in delivering electricity within the electric energy sector.

Photovoltaic Cells

Cells that transform sunlight into usable electricity when photons strike semiconductors and release electrons, creating current.

Long Wavelength Transmission

An adjustment made in radio transmission systems where replacing short wavelengths with longer wavelengths allows signals to travel farther with less energy loss.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones vs. Soundproofing

Noise-cancelling headphones rely specifically on destructive interference, whereas soundproofing can also utilize blocking, decoupling, and absorption.

Electricity Generation

The process of converting various forms of energy, such as mechanical, thermal, or chemical energy, into electrical energy.

Echolocation

The emission of high-frequency clicks by animals such as dolphins whose returning echoes allow them to determine the location, size, and texture of nearby objects.

Geothermal Water Re-injection

The essential process of returning cooled water back into the Earth after power generation to maintain the underground heat reservoir and allow continuous energy production.

Energy Label Guide

A guide provided by the Department of Energy (DOE) to empower consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing electrical appliances and lighting products.

5-Star Energy Label

A high-efficiency energy rating that helps consumers save money on electricity bills over time compared to appliances with lower star ratings.

Electricity Transmission

The stage of the power supply chain where electricity generated by a power plant is carried over long distances through high-voltage power lines to substations near cities.

Diesel Generators

A temporary or backup energy source whose main disadvantage is producing more pollution and being less efficient than other electricity generation sources.

Hologram

A security feature on banknotes and credit cards that uses the interference of light waves to record three-dimensional patterns.

Ultraviolet Waves

Electromagnetic waves used effectively to sterilize surgical instruments in medical settings without relying on chemical agents.

Non-Renewable Energy

Energy derived from finite natural resources that cannot be replenished on a human timescale, such as coal, oil, or diesel.